This album is at least on par with Soundtracks for the Blind for me. It isn't as claustrophobic and downright oppressive (adjectives that i see as positive with Swans) but it is just as intense and more accomplished musically. As one reviewer wrote of Eden Prison, " the sound of the Swans represents a brutish classical music. It's not the loud arrogance and directionless rebellion of punk but a focused, emotional composition." Brutish classical is a great descriptor for this album especially. Huge pieces that morph and change with an attention to composition not shown by any band this heavy. Gira is one of the great songwriters of our time, thank god he brought Swans back.

I've listened to this so much. I love this record, except for parts of "The Seer" song. After the first big climax, the song at roughly 13 min goes into drone music mode, and I am bored after 2 minutes of this. Solid review